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West Virginia Watch
Biden administration to roll back the Betsy DeVos Title IX rules
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education on Friday announced a final rule that will update Title IX regulations governing how schools respond to sexual misconduct, undoing changes made under the Trump administration and former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. “For more than 50 years, Title IX has promised an equal opportunity to learn and thrive […] The post Biden administration to roll back the Betsy DeVos Title IX rules appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Politicians’ talk of a border ‘invasion’ is speech that experts say has gotten people killed
EL PASO, TEXAS — In this border city, the word “invasion” is particularly fraught. Former President Donald Trump has long used it to characterize the flow of migrants to the southwestern border, recent surges of which have severely taxed the resources of the United States and Mexico. Recently, Trump also has called undocumented immigrants “not human” […] The post Politicians’ talk of a border ‘invasion’ is speech that experts say has gotten people killed appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Uncertainty remains high as special session, personal income tax trigger looms
Lawmakers have only a few weeks left until they will return to Charleston for a special session focused on the state budget, but with revenue numbers changing month by month until July, it remains unclear what action they may take to ensure a balanced budget and funding for currently unfunded programs and initiatives. The special […] The post Uncertainty remains high as special session, personal income tax trigger looms appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Arresting homeless people does nothing to address the issue of poverty in West Virginia
Across West Virginia and the country, government officials are attacking visible poverty. The problem? They’re only attacking the “visible” part. Measures criminalizing the homelessness we see in public have soared in recent years, with West Virginia cities like Wheeling and Parkersburg adopting ordinances that punish people with jail time for sleeping outside, and Charleston arresting […] The post Arresting homeless people does nothing to address the issue of poverty in West Virginia appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
BLM to finalize rule allowing federal leases targeted at protection of natural areas
The Bureau of Land Management will publish a final rule soon allowing the nation’s public lands to be leased for environmental protection, a Thursday news release from the Interior Department said. The rule, which both proponents and detractors say marks a shift in the agency’s focus toward conservation, directs land managers at the agency to […] The post BLM to finalize rule allowing federal leases targeted at protection of natural areas appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
U.S. House speaker gains Dem backing for foreign aid plan, as far-right Republicans seethe
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democrats on Thursday began coalescing behind Republican Speaker Mike Johnson’s plan to provide assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan through a series of three bills, though far-right members of his own party grew increasingly frustrated with the Louisianan’s bipartisan streak. Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is leading an effort […] The post U.S. House speaker gains Dem backing for foreign aid plan, as far-right Republicans seethe appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Abortion included in pregnant workers protections law
Rules on how employers can comply with a federal law that provides protections for pregnant workers are set to take effect in roughly two months. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission provided clarity to employers and employees about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act on Monday. Under the statute, employers with 15 or more workers must […] The post Abortion included in pregnant workers protections law appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
More than 200K West Virginians lost Medicaid or CHIP over past year, most for a procedural issues
Over the past year, as the programs returned to pre-pandemic eligibility rules, more than 200,000 West Virginians were removed from the Medicaid or the Child Health Insurance Program, state data shows. The vast majority of those disenrollments — 79% — were due to a procedural reason like failing to return a form re-enrolling in the […] The post More than 200K West Virginians lost Medicaid or CHIP over past year, most for a procedural issues appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Too many cubicles, too few homes spur incentives to convert offices to housing
Read more Stateline coverage of how communities across the country are trying to create more affordable housing. HERNDON, Va. — Juan Ramirez, watching his dog play in Chandon Park here in suburban Virginia on a Saturday morning, tries to imagine the massive office buildings next to the park becoming apartments and townhouses. “I guess it’s inevitable. People don’t […] The post Too many cubicles, too few homes spur incentives to convert offices to housing appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Stop using West Virginians with disabilities for cheap politics
It has been a lot of speaking in circles and gaslighting. Every few years, legislators and government administrators propose cuts to the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Waiver program, which most families know as the IDD Waiver program. And every few years, West Virginians with disabilities fight against those cuts. In 2015, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin […] The post Stop using West Virginians with disabilities for cheap politics appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Senate rejects two impeachment articles against DHS Secretary Mayorkas
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday dismissed two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The Democrat-controlled chamber voted, 51-49 along party lines, to adjourn the impeachment trial after finding that the impeachment articles accusing Mayorkas of not complying with federal immigration law and breaching the public trust did not rise to […] The post Senate rejects two impeachment articles against DHS Secretary Mayorkas appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
National privacy standard eyed by Congress for data harvested by big tech companies
If you are having thoughts of suicide, contact 988. For resources regarding eating disorders, visit nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-help/. WASHINGTON — U.S. House members tasked with addressing what happens to loads of user data collected by big tech companies see a “long overdue” opportunity for a national privacy standard, particularly for children and teens. Lawmakers on a subpanel […] The post National privacy standard eyed by Congress for data harvested by big tech companies appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Justice says there’s no ‘cover up’ in patient’s death at state-run hospital
Gov. Jim Justice defended himself and his administration against allegations that they called off a meeting where lawmakers could ask questions about an elderly man’s gruesome death in a state-run facility. “I don’t control and cancel legislative meetings,” the governor said on Wednesday during a virtual briefing. “There is no chance on the planet … […] The post Justice says there’s no ‘cover up’ in patient’s death at state-run hospital appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
U.S. House GOP rolls out aid for Ukraine, Israel; votes planned on TikTok, border security
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans unveiled three bills Wednesday that would provide $95 billion overall in assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, instead of voting on a similar bipartisan Senate-approved package that’s been waiting around for months. The Ukraine bill would provide $60.84 billion, the Israel bill would appropriate $26.38 billion and the Indo-Pacific bill […] The post U.S. House GOP rolls out aid for Ukraine, Israel; votes planned on TikTok, border security appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Red states fight growing efforts to give ‘basic income’ cash to residents
South Dakota state Sen. John Wiik likes to think of himself as a lookout of sorts — keeping an eye on new laws, programs and ideas brewing across the states. “I don’t bring a ton of legislation,” said Wiik, a Republican. “The main thing I like to do is try and stay ahead of trends […] The post Red states fight growing efforts to give ‘basic income’ cash to residents appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
U.S. House Republicans deliver impeachment articles against DHS Chief Mayorkas
WASHINGTON — Eleven U.S. House Republicans serving as impeachment managers delivered two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The ceremonial delivery of the articles of impeachment, which charge Mayorkas with a “willful and systemic refusal to comply” with federal immigration law and breaking the public trust, […] The post U.S. House Republicans deliver impeachment articles against DHS Chief Mayorkas appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Lawmakers say Justice admin canceled meeting to discuss man’s gruesome death in state hospital
A state health facilities official was scheduled to appear before West Virginia lawmakers on Tuesday to answer expected questions about an elderly, nonverbal man who died after being left in scalding water at a long-term care facility. The meeting was canceled due to, according to lawmakers, interference from the executive branch under Gov. Jim Justice. […] The post Lawmakers say Justice admin canceled meeting to discuss man’s gruesome death in state hospital appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
MSHA rule to limit silica dust exposure in mines will be finalized this week
Years of work by labor and health advocates is coming to a head this week as the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration is set to publish a finalized rule to limit miners’ exposure to dangerous silica dust, which is known to be a leading cause of pneumoconiosis, or black lung. The finalized rule — […] The post MSHA rule to limit silica dust exposure in mines will be finalized this week appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Divided U.S. Supreme Court wrestles with case of Pennsylvania man who joined Jan. 6 mob
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a Jan. 6, 2021, case that could potentially upend convictions for a mass of Capitol riot defendants and slash some election interference charges against former President Donald Trump. The case, Fischer v. United States, centers on whether former Pennsylvania police officer and Jan. 6 defendant […] The post Divided U.S. Supreme Court wrestles with case of Pennsylvania man who joined Jan. 6 mob appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
U.S. Rep. Massie joins move to oust Speaker Johnson, who vows: ‘I am not resigning’
WASHINGTON — Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky called on U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to resign during a closed-door meeting of GOP lawmakers on Tuesday, throwing more uncertainty into that chamber just months before the November elections. Massie told reporters after the meeting and just before a Johnson press conference he believed the votes […] The post U.S. Rep. Massie joins move to oust Speaker Johnson, who vows: ‘I am not resigning’ appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
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West Virginia Watch is an independent, nonpartisan news service based in Charleston. Our journalists will hold public officials and agencies accountable, and inform West Virginians of what’s going on behind closed doors. We focus on issues that affect our state every day – such as poverty, access to health care, the foster care system – with an aim of filling the gaps in coverage caused by shrinking newsrooms. The Watch is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit network supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. We retain full editorial independence. West Virginia Watch is free to read without paywalls or subscription fees.
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